Whip up enthusiasm in reforestation- JAK

Accra, Aug. 16, GNA -President John Agyekum Kufuor has challenged the Board of Commissioners of the Forestry Commission (FC) to provide the necessary leadership to rekindle the people's enthusiasm in re-planting the country's destroyed forests.

He said the Government, within the past five years had sought through the introduction of right policies, incentives and inducements to get the people to undertake massive reforestation but the efforts seemed to have slackened.

The real cause for this must be found, he said when inaugurating the new Board of Commissioners, chaired by Mr. Edward Osei Nsenkyire, at the Castle, Osu, on Wednesday.

The other members include Mr. Samuel Afari-Dartey, a seasoned forester, Mr Kwaku Prah Ghartey, a representative of the Institute of Professional Foresters, Okyeame Ampadu-Agyei, Country Director of Conservatiion International and Mr Yaw Asiedu Mensah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Dormaa West.

The rest are Alhaji Hamidu Baryeh, Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi, Omanhene of Kukuom Traditional Area, Mr Kwadwo Wireko-Brobbey, Lecturer, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Mr John Otoo, acting Chief Executive, FC. President Kufuor noted that the past four decades had seen excessive waste and drain, of the country's forestry sector, adding that the damage was done under the patronage of people who should have known better.

"We have been cutting the timber without planting all in the name of money and the climate had now been affected because of the wanton destruction of the forest."

He said the Commissioners should therefore introduce the needed balance in the sector to ensure that even as "We earned revenue, we would continue to manage and sustain the life of the forest." President Kufuor said the Government's invitation to them to serve on the Board was based on its conviction that they would give the leadership the nation expected of them. Mr Nsenkyire said they would ensure that the Commission was dedicated to the principle of multiple use management of the nation's forest resources for sustainable yields of timber, water, forage, wildlife and recreation.

They would, in addition actively promote multi-stakeholder involvement in the sustainable management and development of the forest and wildlife resources.

"As we move to tackle the numerous challenges confronting the Commission, we will be innovative, forward thinking and promise to be a result-oriented Board poised to make good things happen", he added 16 Aug. 06